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Vericel Corp (NASDAQ:VCEL), a $2.58 billion market cap company currently trading at $51.53, saw its Chief Financial Officer Joseph Mara Jr. recently sell 9,000 shares of the company’s common stock, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares were sold at a price of $49.53 each, totaling approximately $445,770. According to InvestingPro data, analysts maintain a strong buy consensus with price targets ranging from $60 to $72. This transaction was executed on March 3, 2025, as part of a pre-arranged trading plan under Rule 10b5-1, which Mara adopted in November 2024.
Following this sale, Mara retains ownership of 13,967 shares of Vericel stock. These remaining shares include those acquired through Vericel’s 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, benefiting from exemptions under specific SEC rules.
In other recent news, Vericel Corporation reported a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2024, with a notable 20% year-over-year increase in total revenue, reaching $237.2 million. The company also achieved a net income of $10.4 million, marking a significant improvement from a loss of $3.2 million in the previous year. Vericel’s gross margin for the quarter was a record 78%, contributing to a full-year gross margin of 73%. Looking ahead, the company has provided an optimistic outlook for 2025, projecting revenue growth of 20-23% and maintaining a gross margin between 73% and 74%.
Additionally, Vericel has been active in product development and market expansion, with the launch of MACI Arthro and plans for international market entry in 2027-2028. The company’s strategic initiatives have positioned it well for sustained growth, with analysts from Truist Securities maintaining a Buy rating on Vericel’s stock, despite reducing the price target from $67 to $61. Truist analysts view the company’s guidance as conservative, considering the potential for increased sales following the launch of new products like MACI Arthro and Nexobrid.
Vericel’s management highlighted strong early indicators for MACI Arthro adoption, which could lead to greater growth acceleration in the coming years. The company’s strategic focus on training surgeons and expanding into new markets aims to drive future growth and enhance its profitability trajectory. These developments reflect Vericel’s commitment to maintaining its position as a standout growth company in the biotech sector.
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